Pregnancy
and motherhood are wonderful and exciting times in a woman's life.
Some women however, will experience unwanted permanent physical
changes that are not always desirable. Many women find it emotionally
and physically difficult to adjust to these new changes in their
bodies. Often their self-esteem and personal self-image is affected.
These changes vary greatly and can be as limited as stretch marks
and varicose veins, or the changes can be more significant such
as smaller breasts and larger hips.
Fortunately,
there are many treatments available to correct or improve these
common post-pregnancy changes. Many of these procedures are non-surgical
or relatively simple outpatient surgeries. Some treatments are
possible because of new technology such as lasers and liposuction
developed in just the last few years.
Procedures
Breast
changes vary widely from patient to patient. There are many
health and nurturing benefits of breast feeding, but these changes
occur regardless of whether or not a woman chooses to breast feed.
Changes in a womans breasts after delivery should not influence
her decision to breast feed. The majority of changes will occur
during the pregnancy itself. After childbirth, when the mother
is no longer lactating, the breast glands will shrink. Most often
this leaves the breasts smaller and possibly with excess loose
skin which causes the breasts to sag.
Breast
enlargement (augmentation) with an implant may improve
the size and shape of breasts. This will also help to fill the
excess skin. If there is too much loose skin and sagging then
a breast lift (mastopexy) is required.
This procedure essentially removes excess skin to tighten and
lift the remaining skin and breast tissues. The incisions vary
depending upon the amount of skin to be removed. Some women benefit
from a combination of these two procedures called am "augmentation-mastopexy."
Breast
"hypertrophy" or permanent enlargement may occur on occasion
following pregnancy. If this change is unwanted and physically
or emotionally uncomfortable, it can be corrected surgically by
breast reduction. This operation is similar to a breast lift,
however in addition to removing skin, excess breast tissue is
also reduced. This creates smaller, firmer and more youthful looking
breasts.
Abdominoplasty
or "tummy tuck" is an operation which can tighten the
abdominal muscles, remove localized excess fat and tighten the
skin. Following pregnancy a woman can experience any of these
conditions alone or in combination. For example, your weight and
body fat may be low yet stretched, weak abdominal muscles may
result in laxity and forward protrusion of the lower or entire
abdomen. If the muscles are actually separated, this weakness
is a type of hernia or "diastasis recti". Some insurance plans
will authorize payment for a portion of this operation if it is
causing functional medical problems such as pain and discomfort.
Tummy tucks (abdominoplasties) can therefore be fairly simple
"mini-tuck" or a more extensive standard Abdominoplasty - which
corrects all the conditions noted above.
Umbilicoplasty or improving the belly button is an additional benefit of the
tummy tuck as is removal of stretch marks of the lower abdomen.
This can actually be done as a separate minor procedure if the
belly button has been stretched or distorted by the pregnancy.
Stretch
marks which occur during pregnancy can be improved in a variety
of ways through various techniques. A tummy tuck may surgically
remove many of the skin changes. Topical treatments which have
shown some benefit include laser therapy and some medications
such as Retin-A. Lasers may diminish redness for some patients
and possibly improve the texture of the skin.
Liposuction is the most commonly requested cosmetic surgery procedure. New
mothers sometimes experience redistribution of their body fat.
Localized fat collections in the tummy, hips, thighs, and upper
arms to name a few of the more common areas, are treated easily
and with excellent results, with either standard or the newer ultrasonic liposuction. When combined
with a sensible diet and exercise program you can successfully
work toward regaining your pre-pregnancy body contours and clothing
size.
Labioplasty
and vaginal tightening or myoplasty are outpatient operations
to repair tears or damage to the labia (opening to the vagina)
and vagina which may occur during a normal vaginal delivery.
Skin pigment
changes (chlosma), can occur during pregnancy. Irregular red
or brown discoloration across the face is very common side effect
of pregnancy. This is generally improved with a bleaching or peeling
program by our skin aesthetician. More difficult cases are referred
to a dermatologist.
Varicose
veins and spider-veins frequently appear with the hormonal
and body fluid changes during pregnancy. While varicose veins
generally occur on the legs, "spiders' may arise on any part of
the body. Treatment may be as simple as the newest lasers recently
developed for these specific problems Sclerotherapy or injections
of varicosities is often successful. Lastly, outpatient surgery
to remove portions of the larger varicose veins can be performed
through tiny "nicks" in the skin with minimal visible scars.
Combined
operations are often performed with our Gyneacology colleagues.
Tubal ligation is a common post pregnancy procedure which is done
at the time of many of the surgeries noted above. If you require
a gyneacologic operation or study (laparoscopy) and are considering
a plastic surgery procedure, discuss these issues with your doctor.
Combining these procedures decreases anesthetics, costs, and recovery
time.
